Dublin Ladies lose out by a point

Cork continued their domination of ladies football with a very narrow win over Dublin in an exciting All-Ireland final at Croke Park today.

To go in search of a first All Ireland title is a daunting task, but Dublin looked far more comfortable on the big stage during the first half than their more experienced opponents.

Despite a confident showing in the early stages however they allowed Cork to strike within five minutes of the throw-in.

The woodwork spared Dublins blushes shortly afterwards, but from thereon in they took control of the first half.

Sinéad Ahearne and Amy McGuinness registered a point each, but a disappointing effort by Ahearbe from the penalty spot meant that Dublin had to work hard to stay in the ascendancy. Her namesake Elaine comfortably gathered her weak shot in the Cork goal.

Ciara OSullivan spent 10 minutes on the line for the foul that led to the penalty, and although Dublin twice missed the opportunity to go in front, they did push on for a one point lead before Corks full complement was restored.

Nollaig Clearys point pushed Dublin ahead and gave her side real hope of a major upset, but Juliette Murphys free taking kept the defending champions within a point at the break.

The intensity was stepped up in the second half, and the contest levelled itself out – Valerie Mulcahy played her way into the game, adding three points to Corks tally within the opening ten minutes of the second period.

Dublin then enjoyed a purple patch of their own, as Lyndsey Peat began a rally of scores for Dublin, who restored their narrow one point lead.

In a nail-biting finish, Sinéad Ahearne opened up a two point cushion for the Dubs, but the experienced Rebelettes pounced on a few errors by Dublin and slotted four points within the final five minutes to move two clear themselves.

With a minute and a half on the clock, Ahearnes high pressure free made it a one point game once again, but Cork ran down the clock to seal a cruel defeat for Dublin.

The victory earned a remarkable fifth All-Ireland title in a row for the Rebelettes, who have also done the double in 2009